AWARE Wildlife Rescue is always looking for volunteers

There are many ways to help our much loved wildlife maintain some sort of balance in our environment and to help us deliver this essential service to the community. But no matter what level of involvement, each and every time you set aside your time, skill or donations to help care for wildlife, you are directly contributing to their continued survival and we thank you greatly for your dedication.

Listed are just a few ways you can help, but if you have any other ideas we’d love to hear from you!

AWARE Wildlife Rescue is looking for volunteers to help out with ad-hoc basic administration work, data entry (including data entry of confidential information into our database), processing membership applications, member renewal communications and producing reports from our database. You will require a working knowledge of Word and Excel. Having some experience with database software and having your own laptop will be advantageous.

This role is very flexible and is home based to give you greater flexibility to fit around your personal time.

AWARE’s Education volunteering program is for anyone interested in training and education with a passion for wildlife and the environment. AWARE’s education sessions are run for students in school, a s well as youth groups, scout/guide groups and volunteers will work under the guidance of a Committee Member and are responsible for the following tasks:

Set up of education sessions and equipment.

Presenting talks and information to students on various topics.

Some training is provided for this role however you will need to arrange travel to and from the events as well as our primary wildlife shelter in Langwarrin to collect and drop off educational materials.

Answering AWARE’s 24/7 emergency hotline for injured, sick or orphaned wildlife is a critical aspect of the work AWARE Wildlife Rescue does for the community. This hotline runs off a “Voice Over Internet Protocol” (VOIP) app (from your mobile phone) and is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is the first important contact with the public to get help for wildlife in distress.

As this position runs off an app on your mobile phone, it would suit someone who wants to volunteer to help wildlife but does not want, or is not able, to get physically involved with rescuing and caring.

To fulfil this role you will need patience, a clear telephone voice and must enjoy talking to people from all backgrounds. Also, often callers may be distressed so a calm disposition is critical. It is important to note that the phone can and does ring 24/7 and we are looking for people who can take the phone for a minimum of a 4 hour shift. Training is provided and there is always someone available to support you and answer questions. You will also need a mobile phone in order to access AWARE Wildlife’s Hotline VOIP app from your home.

Each day, the wildlife in our care are given ‘room service’, which involves cleaning of their enclosures, washing food dishes, food preparation, laundry, collecting browse and so on.

Shelter Helpers generally come in between 8.30AM and 9AM (for 3 hours approx) to assist with “housekeeping” at an AWARE Wildlife Shelter. We also require Shelter Helpers in the afternoons, arriving between 4.30PM and 5PM (for 1.5 hours approx.)

Ideally, we’d ask that Shelter Helpers to commit to particular days where possible, so we can be sure we have adequate care for the animals each day, but we also understand that everyone has varying commitments, so we ask that you let us know in advance if you’re not able to make it on your set day.

Training is provided and there is always someone available to support you and answer questions.

Wildlife foster care is the process of providing aid to injured, orphaned, displaced, or distressed wildlife in such a way that they may survive when released to their native habitat. AWARE Wildlife Rescue does not have an official position description for “Wildlife Foster Carer” as this role is varied; wildlife foster care does require training after which you’ll then be able to apply for a foster carers permit through DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning). For more information about becoming a wildlife foster carer, please click here.

These are critical volunteer roles which involve taking injured or orphaned wildlife to a vet, shelter or another specialist facility, such as Healesville Sanctuary. Rescue involves capturing the animal (hands on!) and taking it either to a vet or carer. Transporters do not catch, they simply deliver the animals (between vets, carers etc.,) generally without having to handle them.

Rescue and Transport volunteer roles do require you to complete AWARE (or other wildlife group) rescuer training to ensure you have the skills to safely transport and handle wildlife and you must become an AWARE member.

You’ll also need a good level of general fitness, a mobile phone, a current Victorian driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle. It is also recommended you have a current tetanus vaccination.